Steam Thistle Cluaran

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dampfspieler
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".. a Stack Box"

Post by dampfspieler » Sun Jan 26, 2020 10:02 am

Hi Russ,

very nice idea, i have archived it, so i can built my own box if needed.

Very fine pics of Maggie - thank you.

Dietrich
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:25 am

First really warm day this year, temps in the 70s F.
So... First steam test of Steam Thistle! I've been waiting for this for several months.
SS First Steam Test 1 sml.JPG
SS First Steam Test 3 sml.JPG
I have two short movies and don't know how to make them accessible here.
So you get to use your imaginations! :D

Resulting check list:
Oil delivery and control system works well. No changes required using gravity feed. Pressure is available and functions OK.
Boiler water makeup system works per design with gravity feed.
Propane cold start system work per design.
Safety valves work and set properly.
Engine runs! But the boat will work better in the water when the condenser can do its work.
(I made a condenser bypass system which also works per design.)
Whistle does not work on steam. It works fine on compressed air... Reboot required on design.
Oil burner atomizer needle valve is too sensitive. Modification required. Probably a much smaller valve.
The boiler draft system works fine, with natural draft being sufficient. I did install a stack blower, but just in case...
It could make more steam than required with no condenser, and on the trailer.
A test on the water will reveal more.

I'm satisfied so far. More to come.
RussN
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fredrosse
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by fredrosse » Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:42 am

Good to see your beautiful boat getting ready for cruising.

Whistle performance is a trying task in my view. I have made many boilers and engines, but every time I make a whistle there are problems, and I have attempted several. They typically work fine on air, but sound terrible on steam. For a few years I had a good Lukenheimer whistle from a locomotive, and it sounded great, but I traded it for kerosene running lights for my sidewheeler. Now I need to find another, or attempt to make one.

Oil burner needle valve, I would recommend a Swagelok needle valve, best quality and good fine adjustment. They retail (with 1 / 4 inch tubing connection) at about $120 US, but you can get them on e-bay for far less. They come with small, medium and large flow capacity, and choosing the right one is important in my experience. If you can tell me your oil pressure I can give you the proper valve selection.
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Fri Apr 10, 2020 1:17 am

Fred:
Thanks for your reply and recommendation.
Oil feed is gravity, with the steam atomizer providing some vacuum to draw the oil. I can pressurize the oil supply for a cold start up, if required.
The burner oil orifice if a mere 0.059" diameter! And it will obviously provide more oil than required.
The original kerocene burner for the Blackstaffe boilers also had the same size orifice.
And I had no problem generating steam today. So I believe the burner size is OK.

The atomizer steam valve is a quality needle valve, but obviously (now) provides far too much steam flow for that burner.
I will check out the Swagelock valves.
Thanks.
RussN
Mike Rometer
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by Mike Rometer » Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:13 pm

RNoe wrote:
Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:25 am
First really warm day this year, temps in the 70s F.
So... First steam test of Steam Thistle! I've been waiting for this for several months.

SS First Steam Test 1 sml.JPG

SS First Steam Test 3 sml.JPG

I have two short movies and don't know how to make them accessible here.
So you get to use your imaginations! :D

Resulting check list:
Oil delivery and control system works well. No changes required using gravity feed. Pressure is available and functions OK.
Boiler water makeup system works per design with gravity feed.
Propane cold start system work per design.
Safety valves work and set properly.
Engine runs! But the boat will work better in the water when the condenser can do its work.
(I made a condenser bypass system which also works per design.)
Whistle does not work on steam. It works fine on compressed air... Reboot required on design.
Oil burner atomizer needle valve is too sensitive. Modification required. Probably a much smaller valve.
The boiler draft system works fine, with natural draft being sufficient. I did install a stack blower, but just in case...
It could make more steam than required with no condenser, and on the trailer.
A test on the water will reveal more.

I'm satisfied so far. More to come.
RussN
Hmm! She might look a little better if you painted both funnels to match, I'm not much for that knobbly finish on the front one?!?! :lol: :lol:
Retirement is about doing what floats your boat!

A BODGE : - A Bit Of Damn Good Engineering.
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DetroiTug
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by DetroiTug » Fri Apr 10, 2020 2:48 pm

Very nice boat! I really like that stem, nothing on a boat says 'class' louder than a negative rake on the stem.

-Ron
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Fri Apr 10, 2020 3:12 pm

Thanks, Ron.
I always thought the stock design Thistle sailboat hull had the "correct" bow shape for a steam launch.
Now I got one...
RussN
Thistle.jpg
Thistle.jpg (16.8 KiB) Viewed 55339 times
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PeteThePen1
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by PeteThePen1 » Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:44 pm

Well done Ron!

You have managed to be the first to get the steam test done. There is no chance here for Frances Ann since we are with Kath's sister in Wales and in lock down. Mike Rometer, my usual partner in steam crime is also under the same regulation which means we cannot happen to be in the same place at the same time and light a fire. Never mind, good to see that you are keep the flag for steam flying.

Regards

Pete
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Sun Apr 12, 2020 3:41 pm

Pete (and all my other Steam Colleagues):
Hang in there and we'll all get through this weird time together!

I feel most fortunate to live where we do: Lower population density, plenty of locally grown food, fresh water and fresh air.
Working to stay healthy for future Steam Fun.
RussN
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RNoe
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Re: Steam Thistle Clauran

Post by RNoe » Sun Apr 26, 2020 5:35 pm

Having gotten over the failure of the steam whistle bell I fabricated, I made a change.
Since the Fed. Gov. is giving us some $$, I spent some on a new whistle from LocoParts, similar to those on my steam locomotives.
Specs: 14" long, 2" diameter, 4-note, cast bronze internal chambers, and weighs 5 lbs with valve!
It will have a pleasant sonorous call. Should sound nice echoing off the water.

Next task is to replace the steam atomizer valve with a more fine-control pressure-regulated two-valve device.
I had one off of old Maggie Steam Launch, which I rebuilt and it's ready to install.
Then another steam test and I get to hear the new whistle.
RussN
whistle sml.jpg
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